The latest release from The Dears front man Murray A. Lightburn is Bacharach-ian in nature, the lush instrumentation providing the cushion for Lightburn’s crooner-like vocals. In this conversation, Lightburn discusses the songwriting process, shares his touring philosophy, and offers insight into the stunning album cover.
As she’s honored with a She Rocks “Icon” award, legendary performer Judy Collins discusses her seven-decade career
Formed in 2018 by Matthew McIntosh (guitar and vocals) and Beth Narducci (bass guitar), the Brooklyn -based duo emerged on the burgeoning dark music scene with a series of self-released offerings that garnered attention that led to their 2021 album Another Kind of Midnight. Now with a new album out and tour dates with some exciting names, it felt like the perfect time to sit down and talk to the duo.
If Greta Van Fleet is this generation’s Led Zeppelin, then Crown Lands is this generation’s Rush. Kevin Comeau shares how classic and prog rock from the ’70s inspired the band, from the way they write songs to how they arrange albums.
While never dreaming of being a rock star as a kid, Somebody’s Child’s Cian Godfrey discovered the art of songwriting when he started college and has written an album full of alt-rock radio bangers. In this conversation, Godfrey discusses his past, what he gets from performing live, and the things that inspire him.
With NYC punks UNSANE about to head out on a massive tour, I caught up with Chris Spenser to find out all about their journey from th earliest days to where they are today, and more importantly, what keeps the band moving forward after all these years.
After an 8-year hiatus, NYC rock mainstay Hooray For Earth is on the path to resurfacing with a brand new single, a cover of electronic duo Autechre’s “jatevee C.”
After a six-year recording hiatus, Frankie Rose has returned with Love As Projection, an album full of ’80s post-punk, new wave pop bangers. The singer discusses the songwriting process, covering The Cure’s Seventeen Seconds album, and hustling on social media to promote music.
Forty years after the first release by The Church, founding member Steve Kilbey says, when talking about the band’s 26th album, The Hypnogogue, “Just when you thought you could write these guys off, we’re not going gently into the night. We’re going down screaming.”
With their parents’ CD collections serving as inspirations, the NYC trio Hello Mary, featuring two college students, has released one of the best ’90s-sounding alternative rock records of the year.
“I will likely keep doing this as long as I’m still breathing and discovering music that I enjoy and provided I continue to have the finances to do it.”
With a sound based in bluegrass music, Rose’s Pawn Shop incorporates different elements (Americana, Country, Folk, Rock) to stand out among peers. Singer Paul Givant shares how his band is unique, why it took 8 years to release new music, where he draws lyrical inspiration, and which famous actor he’s been compared to in this conversation.
Three young siblings from Minneapolis who deliver an energetic mix of indie rock and punk on their debut album ‘Sisu.’
Presented with careful intimacy, poolblood’s full-length debut, mole, succeeds on the strength of Maryam Said’s gripping delivery and aided by the help and support of producers Louie Short and Shamir as well as a number of Toronto indie rock musicians.
Pop-rock artist, Elite model, and the host of Popdust’s podcast, Demi Ramos made plenty of waves with her single, “Killer 4U,” a song about an imaginary romance in NYC, replete with sex, drugs, and rock and roll. She now releases “Just a Phase” featuring Garzi.
A former member of Set Sail, High Morale, and Casual Vice, Brandon Hoogenboom discusses his debt solo album and how the Beach Boys served as an influence on his sunny, sandy soft rock sound.
It’s no surprise that Los Angeles rock band Palms Station has a spiritual quality to their music: multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Hillel Tigay is also a cantor and musical director at IKAR, one of the largest and most influential progressive synagogues in Southern California.
Greg Hoy tells us what he and the boys leanred through making the “Everyboy Wants to be Somebody” video.
Ryan Miera of Yellow Pills sits down with Big Takeover to discuss Elvis, recording, sobriety and his latest music.
While Hamish Hawk is known first and foremost as a musician, this discussion about topics ranging from favorite coffee cups to listening to CDs in the car positions Hawk as a great conversationalist as well.
Paint Fumes frontman Elijah von Cramon talks about the pronounced new power pop direction on his band’s latest album, ‘Real Romancer.’
Tropical Fuck Storm’s Gaz Liddiard discusses the Australian band’s latest covers EP, checking out free jazz cassettes from the library, and bassist Fiona Kitschin’s recent breast cancer diagnosis.
There’s a whirlwind of rock and roll activity in Los Angeles these days and Billy Tibbals is among a handful of talented young musicians at the heart of the action.
With their sophomore album – written and recorded before Covid lockdown – finally released to the world, Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery discuss the advantages of delaying the album by a few years and the creative packaging that makes the album special and unique.
During the pandemic, John Schmersal took stock of all the Brainiac demos and unreleased tracks he had been collecting since the band’s untimely end in 1997. The latest, and perhaps last, batch of songs have recently been released as The Predator Nominate EP. Schmersal discuss the release and the impetus behind upcoming Brainiac live shows.
Ville Valo, former H.I.M. frontman, discusses his newly-released debut solo album, Neon Noir
A silver lining to lockdown was the ability to have access to a studio. We Are Scientists took advantage by recording songs for two albums, 2021’s Huffy and the brand new release, Lobes. Singer/guitarist Keith Murray shares how the downtime gave the band a chance to experiment.
Bill Berry (ex-*R.E.M.* drummer) and Mike Mantione (Five Eight frontman) discuss their new band, The Bad Ends
In September of 2022, Preoccupations’ Monty Munro spoke with me over Zoom, where we dove deep into the mania behind their latest recording process, the bad luck streak of their 2018 tour, and most importantly: tons and tons of gear.
As a child, Blur drummer Dave Rowntree would spin the dial on his longwave radio and listen to exotic music from all corners of the world. On his debut solo album, Rowntree envisioned his songs as the type that someone might find while exploring the radio.
Shiner frontman, and Third Gear Scratch podcast host, Allen Epley discusses his first solo album, Everything, released 30 years into his career as well as the role the pandemic had on his creativity.
Having made a more permanent home for himself in France and with a Magnum Opus in the works, it seemed the perfect time to sit down with Paris Westburn and discuss the musical journey that brought him to where he is today, his recent musical creations and what the future holds.
After releasing 10 albums since 2004, Micah P. Hinson found himself at a critical juncture where stepping away from music seemed to be a viable option. With a new champion in his corner, a budding new relationship providing inspiration, and a move from Texas to Spain, Hinson’s now excited for the next chapter in his musical career.
Steve Conte discusses his remarkable career as a guitarist for New York Dolls and many others, as well as his thriving solo career
The Speedways frontman discusses the evolution of the band on their excellent new album ‘Talk Of The Town.’
“Paris is not an easy place to be a band, if only because of the extreme population density – it’s tough to get around with gear, there’s limited space to make loud noise, etc. Still, there are great things happening thanks to the hard work of some very dedicated people.” – Bryan Quinn
“When I discovered French punk I had to start listening with headphones under my blanket because they were saying bad words…. standard stuff for a middle class kid.” – Renaud Chauré
Life has been a whirlwind for The Backseat Lovers whose members are in their early 20s. Josh Harmon, Jonas Swanson and KJ Ward reflect on the year that saw the band release their sophomore album, play festival stages, and perform on multiple television talk shows.
JoobieSeaz, a duo from Lille, France has been self-releasing singles relentlessly the last couple years and are making their mark. You can hear all the singles on a recent collection entitled Pitch Black: [The Singles] dropped earlier this year. Hyponotic, gritty and determined.. JoobieSeaz will dance in your subconscious while you enter their groove and submit to their dark and witchy vibes. We had an opportunity to talk to the band about their history and current and future plans.
The Pelicans were a NYC quartet fronted by Ari Vais in the early 2000s. Years later Ari Vais became the frontman for The Campbell Apartment which started in NYC and ended up in the 2010’s in San Francisco. The Pelicans first resurfaced in the digital streaming era with a few tracks on “The Very Best Of Ari Vais and The Campbell Apartment” and soon after plans were made for the Pelicans full discography to be released. We caught up with Ari and asked him about the new collection by this class NYC power pop band.
The Chicago-based singer/songwriter discusses the latest Phil Yates & the Affiliates album, Illinois’ impressive power pop roots, and influences ranging from Elvis Costello to Guided By Voices.
In this in-depth interview, Bob Holmes, Pat Irwin, and Jonathan Gregg of SUSS share how they developed their ambient country sound and the thinking behind compiling four EPs for a new, self-titled double album.
Formed in the 80’s, LA MUERTE became one of the apologists of Belgium music in the 80’s. Long before Al Jourgensen and Ministry has started sound-experiments, LA MUERTE had already been edgy and aggressive, inventively pushing the boundaries. Over the course of their career, LA MUERTE didn’t lose this quality. The band’s newest LP, ‘Sortilegia’ came out this November via Consouling Sounds. The Big Takeover sat down with Didier Moens aka Dee-J, the founding member and guitarist of LA MUERTE.
NYC-based postpunk duo Frenchy and the Punk recently released their seventh album Zen Ghost via EA Recordings, their shadowy sound taking an even darker turn towards the pair’s previously unexplored personal planes and interpretations of the insanity of our increasingly tumultuous age. Dark times make for dark songs.
Frenchy and the Punk is vocalist, percussionist and lyricist Samantha Stephenson and guitarist-composer Scott Helland, who was co-founder and bassist of Outpatients and also Deep Wound (along with Dinosaur Jr. founders J Mascis and Lou Barlow). Influenced by The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Blondie, Concrete Blonde and The B52’s, the duo thrive in their trademark blend of post-punk and dark folk music.
New York -based garage rock purveyor Dmitry Wild recently released his Electric Souls album, loaded with 11 tracks showcasing his trademark blend of 70’s vintage rock, garage rock and post-punk ethos. Truly passionate about the craft of songwriting, Dmitry Wild used the downtime of the great pandemic to complete the final writing for this solo album and gradually recording this material. Some earlier material is also included, dating back to when he was living in California.
On this album, Wild collaborated with Strange House Media, their main engineer, Byron Frayne mixing most of the songs included here, as well as mastering the full album
South Carolina -based Candy Coffins recently released their album Once Do It With Feeling, a 10-track collection considered to be their best work to date, as well as the new video for “Tangled Up In Teacups”, a superb single showcasing the third act crescendo of a relationship in a tailspin, produced and directed by The Pierson Collective. With Cure -esque textures and melody, as well as thematic elements and the visceral delivery of The Afghan Whigs, this record showcases solid songwriting, an approach and delivery that is confident and cohesive, as well as emotional and sonic saturation.
Let’s get to know vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Jame Lathren, who formed Candy Coffins in 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina.
“The music being made in our area has typically been “weird” and often served along with an eagerness to both honor our roots and get out of town.” – Meriel Westermeyer
“We feel we’ve definitely pushed ourselves to become better musicians and songwriters overall over the years in writing these songs…” – Kelli Redding
“I will admit that when I started the band my main concern was choosing inclusive members for the band and mostly sought out female or female identifying folks.” – Rachel Thode
An interview with Rory Cameron and Joey Rubbish about The Whiffs’ impressive sophomore album, ‘Scratch ‘N’ Sniff.’ Plus the exclusive premiere of “Shot Thru,” the second single from the new album.
Singer/songwriter/actress Alison Sudol’s new album, Still Come the Night, addresses the emotions tied with love and loss and does so in an unflinching manner.
Formed in Sheffield, UK in the lockdowns, Amalgaband are an “accidental band” that formed as an outlet for the members’ irrepressible creativity. Coming up to the holiday season, they’ve released their holiday song and music video “Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio Xmas”.
Seattle-based psychedelic rock outfit Black Nite Crash recently released their album Washed in the Sound with Black Nite Crash via the Neon Sigh label, mixed by longtime collaborator Matt Brown (Trespassers William) and mastered by Adam Straney. Formed twenty years ago, Black Nite Crash has involved more than 30 members over the years, surrounding Jim Biggs, the last remaining original member. The band’s fifth full length in that time, this collection presents the most diverse set of songs the band has ever released, this album combines their trademark fuzzed out guitars with some newer flavours,
